Jankowski's Sanctuary

I awoke early on Monday morning to complete the installation of the Michael Jankowski exhibition at Gallery 180. As I finished hanging the last painting on the freshly painted accent wall, it became obvious that the gallery had become a bit of a sanctuary. The art and the architectural elements of the space—stone floors, walls of glass and meditative wall color—calm the inhabitants from the city’s chaos, literally just a few steps away. The quiet imagery of the paintings are contrasted with subtle but energetic line work of the accompanying drawings. The pieces work together to create a wonderful meditative environment. The space becomes a place to loose ones self in a memory triggered by the loosely implied renderings of an attic filled with symbolism.

The exhibition, "Hidden Relics" is now open to the public. A catered reception, in honor of the artist, is scheduled for this Friday from 5:30-7:30. The exhibition is free to the public and all work is available for purchase. Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago's Loop.

Image: Michael Jankowski at Gallery 180, as he previews the exhibition.

Save The Date... Michael Jankowski

Friday, November 20th 5:30-7:30

Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago will be presenting "Hidden Relics", an exhibition of new work created by Chicago artist, Michael Jankowski. Jankowski’s high key paintings and intense gestural drawings evoke a range of emotion. The subtle and faded forms seem to be relics from the past or faded memories, which attempt to re-emerge from our cluttered realities. Assumed to be documentation of Jankowski’s life, the beautifully produced quiet renditions seem to connect with each viewer’s personal history. Clearly influenced by the drawings and paintings of the Swiss Artist, Albeto Giacometti [1901-1966], Jankowski brings forth a contemporary flavor to the content and gestural line-work of his attic-inspired imagery.

This exhibition opens on November 16 and runs through January 15, 2010. A catered reception will be held on Friday, November 20th from 5:30-7:30pm. Entry is free and the exhibition is open to the public. Works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery hours are Monday through Friday 9-6 and Saturday 9-5.

Image: Michael Jankowski, "Mother Can You Hear Me", Charcoal, 24 x 17" $950.

Mike Jankowski... later this year

Later this year, Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago will be presenting the work of Chicago Artist, Mike Jankowski. Last week, I spent some time with Jankowski, reviewing work for his upcoming solo exhibition. The show is a mixture of high-key paintings and drawings, with each piece focusing on a symbolic collection of elements in an attic-like environment. The above detail defines the beautifully sensitive marks, which fade in and out of each composition like memories of the past. This is a collection of work that is moving and thought provoking. I will be writing more about this work as the exhibition grows closer. The exhibition will be on display from November 16-January 8, with an opening reception scheduled for Friday, November 13 from 5:30-7:30. Save the date! Additional information will soon be available at gallery180.com.